| More Americans than ever before are investing in | | | | takes one lapse in judgment for an accident to occur. |
| firearms of all shapes and sizes and they're stocking | | | | --Until you can procure a safe, keep your firearm |
| up on ammo as well. For gun enthusiasts who have | | | | disassembled so that it cannot be accidentally |
| children big or small in the house, you are no doubt | | | | discharged by a child. Kids are wily about finding |
| concerned about their safety. But kids and guns in | | | | things they're not supposed to find! Don't assume |
| the house do not have to be mutually exclusive as | | | | that if you keep your gun well-hidden that they |
| long as you abide by some common-sense safety | | | | won't find it. Statistics prove otherwise. |
| guidelines. Here are some tips. | | | | --Don't be shy about talking with your kids: They |
| --Invest in gun safes: the importance of this particular | | | | know you keep guns, and they're going to be curious |
| tip cannot be emphasized enough! Too many | | | | about them. The best way to diffuse that interest is |
| accidental shootings involving children happen because | | | | not to ignore it, but to address it head-on. Talk to |
| firearms are not properly secured in the home. You | | | | your children about guns and what a gun can do if |
| can't control childhood curiosity or mischief, but you | | | | not handled properly. |
| can control where you keep your guns when they | | | | --Be explicit with your kids about not touching a gun |
| are not in use. Choose the right kind of safe for your | | | | at all unless you are there to supervise them. They |
| gun and exercise absolute diligence in keeping it | | | | should never handle a gun at a friend's house even if |
| locked at all times. | | | | the friend's parent is present. Bottom line: Your |
| --If you use a key for your safe, hide it where your | | | | children should never touch a gun unless you say it's |
| kids will not find it. If you use a combination lock or | | | | OK and you are there with them. |
| similar system, never divulge the code except to | | | | The very best way for guns and children to co-exist |
| another responsible adult. | | | | safely in the same house is for parents to exercise |
| --Separate storage: For extra security, it is wise to | | | | responsibility and diligence by investing in high quality |
| store guns and ammunition in separate locked | | | | gun safes. The consequences of not doing so are |
| containers. No matter how diligent you are about | | | | simply not worth the risk. |
| keeping your safe locked, stuff happens: and it only | | | | |